Career and Education Opportunities for Epidemiologists in Santa Clarita, California

Many educational and employment opportunities exist for epidemiologists in the Santa Clarita, California area. The national trend for epidemiologists sees this job pool growing by about 15.1% over the next eight years. In general, epidemiologists investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, and other health outcomes and develop the means for prevention and control.

Income for epidemiologists is about $36 hourly or $75,560 yearly on average in California. Nationally, their income is about $29 per hour or $61,360 per year. Earnings for epidemiologists are better than earnings in the general category of Life Sciences in California and not quite as good as general Life Sciences category earnings nationally. People working as epidemiologists can fill a number of jobs, such as: maternal and child health epidemiologist, environmental epidemiologist, and infectious disease epidemiology director.

There are 210 schools of higher education in the Santa Clarita area, including four within twenty-five miles of Santa Clarita where you can get a degree to start your career as an epidemiologist. Given that the most common education level for epidemiologists is a Master's degree, you can expect to spend about six years studying to be an epidemiologist if you already have a high school diploma, or just 2 years starting with a Bachelor's degree.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Epidemiologist

Epidemiologist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, epidemiologists investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, and other health outcomes and develop the means for prevention and control.

Epidemiologists formulate and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease. They also communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners and the public. Equally important, epidemiologists have to furnish expertise in the layout, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection and analysis. They are often called upon to oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning and public health improvement. They are expected to investigate diseases or parasites to establish cause and risk factors, progress or mode of transmission. Finally, epidemiologists educate healthcare staff and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.

Every day, epidemiologists are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to read and understand documents and reports. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

It is important for epidemiologists to monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies. They are often called upon to confer with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, government health officials and others regarding medical applications of sciences, such as physics and chemistry. They also standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and processes for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds. They are sometimes expected to teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians and technicians. Somewhat less frequently, epidemiologists are also expected to supervise professional, technical and clerical personnel.

Epidemiologists sometimes are asked to ready and analyze samples to study effects of drugs or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue. They also have to be able to formulate, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to further optimize public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians and others And finally, they sometimes have to teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians and technicians.

Like many other jobs, epidemiologists must be able to absorb the factors involved and a problem and provide a well thought out solution and have exceptional integrity.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Santa Clarita include:

Biologist. Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, and functions.

Food Technologist. Use chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, and distribute food.

Forester. Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting. Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.

Medical Scientist. Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation or other research, production, or related activities.

Microbiologist. Investigate the growth, structure, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

Natural Resource Manager. Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Park Ranger. Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

Scientist. Study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.

Soil Conservation Technician. Plan and develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil and water conservation, and sound land use.

Soil Scientist. Conduct research in breeding, physiology, and management of crops and agricultural plants, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

Zoologist. Study the origins, behavior, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management, including the collection and analysis of biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water areas.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Epidemiologist Training

California State University-Northridge - Northridge, CA

California State University-Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330. California State University-Northridge is a large university located in Northridge, California. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 36,208 students and an admission rate of 69%. California State University-Northridge has a bachelor's degree program in Biophysics which graduated two students in 2008.

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089. University of Southern California is a large university located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 33,747 students and an admission rate of 22%. University of Southern California has 3 areas of study related to Epidemiologist. They are:

Biophysics, bachelor's degree which graduated 5 students in 2008.

Epidemiology, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctor's degree which graduated zero, one, and six students respectively in 2008.

Medical Scientist, bachelor's degree and master's degree which graduated zero and six students respectively in 2008.

University of California-Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA

University of California-Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1405. University of California-Los Angeles is a large university located in Los Angeles, California. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 37,782 students and an admission rate of 24%. University of California-Los Angeles has 3 areas of study related to Epidemiologist. They are:

Biophysics, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctor's degree which graduated nine, six, and five students respectively in 2008.

Epidemiology, master's degree and doctor's degree which graduated six and eighteen students respectively in 2008.

Medical Scientist, master's degree which graduated 7 students in 2008.

Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science - Los Angeles, CA

Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059. Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science is a small university located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 249 students. Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science has a master's degree program in Medical Scientist.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Santa Clarita, California

Santa Clarita, California photo by Guillaume h

Santa Clarita is situated in Los Angeles County, California. It has a population of over 169,500, which has grown by 12.2% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Santa Clarita, 137, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Santa Clarita are valued at $396,800 on average, which is far greater than the state average. In 2008, one hundred ten new homes were built in Santa Clarita, down from one hundred ninety-eight the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Santa Clarita are educational services, health care, and finance and insurance. For men, it is construction, professional, scientific, and technical services, and public administration. The average travel time to work is about 33 minutes. More than 29.1% of Santa Clarita residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 8.8%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Santa Clarita is 7.8%, which is less than California's average of 12.3%.

The percentage of Santa Clarita residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 58.1%, is more than both the national and state average. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the LDS (Mormon) Church.

Santa Clarita is home to the Monogram Ranch and the Placeritos Ranch as well as William S Hart Park and Almendra Park. Shopping centers in the area include River Oaks Shopping Center, Granary Square Shopping Center and Lyons Station Shopping Center.